The World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25 will kick off on March 21, 2025, at the “Nanjing’s Cube”, where top athletes from around the world will gather to compete for glory.
As the event approaches, the city comes alive with the vibrancy of spring. More and more people from all over the world are coming to Nanjing, not just to experience the excitement of the championships but also to immerse themselves in a journey that blends sports, culture, and tourism. This is an opportunity to explore Nanjing’s breathtaking natural scenery, deep-rooted history, and its evolving urban charm.
Let’s follow the championshipsand discover a city where tradition and modernity intertwine.
Xinjiekou: The “Heart”of the City, the Pulse of Commerce
Strolling through Xinjiekou, known as “China’s No.1 Commercial District”, you’ll find a skyline filled with striking architecture. Iconic buildings like Golden Eagle International Shopping Center and New Century Plaza stand side by side, creating a bustling commercial hub. Meanwhile, IST Shopping Mall and Deji Plaza cater to high-end fashion lovers, setting off a wave of luxury shopping fever.
Image Source: Organizing Committee
Here, visitors can admire the Nanjing International Financial Center, a landmark skyscraper, and explore the former site of the Bank of Communications Nanjing Branch, a masterpiece of Romanesque Revival architecture. The Xinjiekou Underground Mall, a vast network of retail and dining spaces, seamlessly connects above-ground and underground commercial zones, offering a unique shopping experience.
Zifeng Tower: Nanjing from the Clouds
Standing 450 meters tall, Zifeng Tower dominates Nanjing’s skyline with its dragon-scale glass facade.
Image Source: Organizing Committee
With Purple Mountain to the east, the Yangtze River to the west, and the bustling Xinjiekou district to the south, the 72nd-floor observation deck of Zifeng Tower offers a panoramic 360° panoramic view of the city, including the full expanse of Xuanwu Lake and the historic Ming City Wallsruins. Its glass facade features light-sensitive technology, allowing the building to shift to a “blue-brick” hue under sunlight, creating a visual harmony with the texture of the ancient city wall.
Nanjing Eye Scenic Area: Love at First Sight
In early spring, the Nanjing Eye Scenic Area, situated along the Yangtze River, bursts into a sea of greenery. This area seamlessly weaves together attractions such as the Crossing the Yangtze River Campaign Memorial Hall, the Titanium Water Plant, the Nanjing Olympic Museum, the Stone Carving Garden, the Turtle Pond Wetland, and the Nanjing Eye Pedestrian Bridge. The landscape blends Chinese aesthetics with modern art, offering a balance of natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Image Source: Organizing Committee
By day, the scenery is vibrant; by night, the lights are dazzling. As dusk falls and city lights begin to glow, the Nanjing Eye Scenic Area reaches new heights of beauty. A mesmerizing light show unfolds as the illuminated skyline transforms the night into a spectacle of color. The Nanjing Eye Pedestrian Bridgebecomes an unmissable landmark, standing out brilliantly against the shimmering reflections on the river. Strolling across the bridge, visitors can enjoy the gentle evening breeze while taking in the stunning, bustling night views of Hexi, a truly captivating experience.
Xuanwu Lake: A Harmony of Water and Mountains
With rippling waters below, soaring birds above, the ancient Ming City Walls stretching along the shore, and Purple Mountain looming in the distance, Xuanwu Lake brings poetic beauty to life in spring.
Image Source: Organizing Committee
With Purple Mountain to the east and the Ming City Wall to the west, Xuanwu Lake is China’s largest imperial garden lake. It is also the only remaining royal garden in the Jiangnan region and the largest urban park in Jiangnan, earning it the title of the “Pearl of Jinling”.
On a pleasant spring day, visitors can experience the “20-minute park effect” - a theory suggesting that just 20 minutes in nature can boost happiness and relaxation. Whether lying on the grass, jogging along the lakeside, or simply soaking in the peaceful scenery, Xuanwu Lake provides a refreshing escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Some say, “Spring at Xuanwu Lake feels like an vast energy field”.
Kexiang: A Taste of Nanjing’s Flavors
The aroma of everyday food brings the greatest comfort to the heart. If you want to indulge in authentic Nanjing cuisine, look no further than Kexiang.
Named after the imperial examination system, Kexiang’s traditional market, established in 1958, remains one of the largest and most renowned food markets in the city. Today, it has evolved into Nanjing’s most famous street food paradise.
Visitors can savor local delicacies like lotus root balls, shredded radish fritters, roasted chestnuts, egg cakes, crispy sesame pastries, Nanjing-style stone-plate duck, Jinling layered pancakes, duck broth dumplings, and peanut-filled glutinous rice balls.
Joggingalong the Purple Mountain greenway, taking deep breaths of fresh air, the rich history unfolds in the varying depths of the green shade; at Nanjing Fishmouth Wetland Park, you can catch the sunset by the lighthouse and enjoy the breathtaking view where the Yangtze, Qinhuai, and Jialing rivers meet; in the Green Expo Park, you can admire flowers and scenery, stepping into a “world of blossoms” and soak up the spring sunshine.
A single championship unlocks an entire city. As the World Athletics Indoor Championships Nanjing 25 prepares to showcase new track and field legends, we look forward to witnessing athletes pushing their limits and making history. More importantly, we invite you to explore the beauty and vitality of Nanjing, a global sports city in the making.
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